Household energy bills are going up this winter. Here's how to save on heating and electricity

Winter is here and consumers nationwide are paying more to stay warm. Electric bills have increased 13% since the start of the year, according to the climate advocacy group Climate Power, while CNN reports the price of natural gas futures has increased by almost 40% since the end of September.

Inflation, supply chain issues and grid improvements are factors, but experts say the leading driver is the growing number of data centers powering AI and cloud computing.

According to the Department of Energy, these massive warehouses could consume up to 12% of total U.S. electricity by 2028.

Getting your house retrofitted for energy efficiency is the best way to save money on energy in the long run, but it's costly. Fortunately, there are also plenty of simple interventions that cut energy costs, too, like opening the curtains during the day to let the sun in, keeping fireplace dampers closed when not in use and insulating drafty windows.

Get smart

A smart thermostat can lower energy bills by automatically adjusting the temperature when you're asleep or away. (Most models will also report on your energy usage.) A basic model will run about $400 with professional installation, but you can save as much as 10% on your energy bills annually.

For under $20, a smart plug will control any device that's plugged into it via phone, tablet or voice assistant, allowing you to schedule timers and turn devices off remotely.

Zone your home

Another option is zoning your home: Instead of heating the entire house, heat only the part you're in.

• Close vents or doors to unused rooms
• Use space heaters safely in one room
• Turn radiators on only in occupied rooms
• Install thermostats on different floors

Slay home energy vampires

Some appliances, like coffee machines and home entertainment systems, draw power even when not in use. Unplug these home energy "vampires" when you're not using them or install smart plugs to turn them off.

Avoid peak hours

When you use energy-consuming devices and appliances matters: Many energy companies charge different rates based on peak and off-peak hours. Turning on the heat a couple of hours before peak hours and turning it off after the higher rate kicks in can save you money.

Use a cash-back credit card

Paying your utility bills with a cash-back card that earns rewards on all purchases can provide a statement credit you can put toward future bills.

The U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card offers 5% cash-back on your first $2,000 in combined eligible purchases each quarter on 2 rotating categories of your choice, including utility bills and home utilities.

You'll also earn a $200 bonus after spending $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 90 days of account opening and enjoy a 0% intro APR for on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 billing cycles (after that, 17.74% - 27.99% variable).

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Information about the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card has been collected independently by Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card prior to publication.